HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-11.-Tlie accusers condemned and the accused absolved. Whatever view be taken of the genuineness of this passage of the Gospel, there can be little doubt as to the authenticity of the narrative, and no doubt as to the jnstice of the picture it presents of the ministry and character of Jesns Christ. I, HERE IS .A. REPRESENTATION OF THE SINFUL SOOIETY IN WHICH THE SA VIOtra DEIGNED TO_ j{ix. The scene was the temple ; the company gathered together were composed of'those who wi_shed to hear Jesus discourse, the motive of some being good, and that of others evil; the centre of the group was the Prophet of Nazareth, who claimed to be the world's Light and Salvation. 'l'he audience and the Speaker were interrupted by an incident which, however, afforded a remarkable opportunity for most characteristic and memorable teaching on the part of our Divine Lord. 1. We see a picture of human frailty. As the poor, trembling, shame-stricken woman was dragged into the temple precincts, she furnished a sad instance of the moral weakness of humanity. For although her seducer was probably a hundredfold guiltier than she, it cannot be questioned that the adulteress wa_s to blame, as having infringed both Divine and hui;nan ,aws. 2. We see a. picture of human censoriou.sr.ess. Sinful though the woman was, it does not seem that those who·were so anxious to overwhelm her with disgrace were impelled by a sense of duty. They seem to have been of those who delight in another's sin, who, instead of covering a fault, love to dra.g it into the light. 3. We see a. picture of human malice. 'l'hey sought to entrap Jesus into some utter- ance which might serve as a charge against him. It was impelled by this motive that they referred the case of the adulteress to him, who came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it. Their concern for the public morals was trifling when compared with their malignant hatred of him who was morality incarnate. II. HERE 18 A REPRESENTATION OF THE UANNEB IN wmcH THE SAVIOUR DE.ALT WITH HUMAN BIN. 1. He convinced the morally hardened and insensible, arousing their conscience, and compelling them to admit their own sinfulness. If the cunning of the Pharisees was great, the wisdom of the Saviour was greater still He confotwded their plot, and turned their weapons against themselves. Their own consciences witnessed against those who had been so ,a.nxious to condemn a fellow-sinner. 2. He pardoned the penitent offender. The woman could not but feel how heinous had been her trans- gression, and in bow black colours it appeared to all who considered it aright. And all we !mow o{ Je~us aBij\11eS u~ th,t he wo\tld 11ever lui.ve forgive~, and disl!lissed in pell,Q8t 382 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING 'l'O ST. JOIIN. [oH. vm. 1---69.
one insensible of sin. She sc.rrowed over her fault; the presence of the pure and perfect Jesus was itself a. rebuke and reproach to her, while hie demeanour and language awakened her gratitude nnd restored her hopes, if not her self-respect. 3. He con- demned 1md guarded against a repetition of the sin, in the admonition he pointedly addressed to her as she left him, "Sin no more."-T.